Border Gavaskar Trophy: India will rely heavily on Virat Kohli, says Greg Chappell

Former India coach and legendary Australia captain Greg Chappell said that India will rely heavily on Virat Kohli in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series. India will take on Australia in the first Test of the four-match series at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.

Chappell said India are vulnerable at home due to injuries to key players like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, while insisting they will rely heavily on Kohli. "Australia can win this series. India are more vulnerable at home than they have been for some time due to injuries to key players like Rishbah Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. They will rely heavily on Virat Kohli," Chappell said.

He went on to say that attrition takes a huge toll on visiting teams in India and added that if the Indians enter the contest on Day 5, they will win. "Visit teams are often fooled by a game that seems to be going nowhere but suddenly changes at a frantic pace. The Indians are used to it, so Australia will have to adapt quickly with mind, bat and ball. Attrition takes a huge toll." If India participate in the contest on the fifth day, they will win,” added Chappell.

India have not lost a Test series to Australia in almost a decade. After losing 1-2 in 2014/15, India have won three consecutive series including two in Australia. The two teams have shared an intense rivalry, especially in the last two decades since India triumphed in the iconic 2000/01 series.

Australia last played a Test series in India six years ago and this time they are leaving no stone unturned to do well. Steve Smith defended the team's decision not to play the tournament on tour and instead train in the conditions they are expected to face when the real competition begins on February 9.